Blank ammunition attachment

ABSTRACT

A blank ammunition attachment comprising: a housing configured to be attached to a firearm; a first trap contained in the housing having a closed proximal end and a first trap bore at a distal end; a series of traps adjacent to the first trap carried by the housing wherein each trap in the series of traps includes a trap bore; and, a muzzle stop enclosing the housing at a housing distal end wherein the housing is configured to prevent a projectile from exiting the housing is the projectile enters the housing at a proximal end.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional patent application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/963,461 filed Jan. 20, 2020 which is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DEVICE 1) Field of the Invention

This device is directed to an adaptor for use with a firearm gun barrel to provide for the repeated safe fire of blank ammunition rounds.

2) Description of the Related Art

As is well known, firearms provide for the expelling of a projectile and have been used for hunting, self-defense and the military as early as the 1200's. The development of single shot firearms to repeating firearms has occurred over the years and include the repeater Springfield Model 1892-99 which were used during the Spanish American War. Some of these early repeating firearms require manipulation of a bolt, lever, or slide to eject the fired cartridge case, draw an unfired cartridge from a magazine and place it in the firing chamber. As the development of firearm technology progressed, the firearm's recoil, or a small portion of the propellant gas drawn from the barrel, was used to operate the firearm's action to eject the spent cartridge and place the new cartridge in the chamber.

A fully automatic or semi-automatic firearm is a type of firearm that uses the energy of a fired cartridge to cycle the action of the firearm and advance the next available cartridge into a firing position (e.g., in the chamber). One example of such a firearm is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,951,424 that discloses a gas system employed for operating the bolt and bolt carrier. The system utilizes the energy of the expanding gas developed by the operation of the firearm, for actuating the automatic rifle mechanism directly by use of a metered amount of the gas coming from the barrel. In some designs, a portion of the gas pressure inside a firearm's barrel from an ignited cartridge is diverted through an opening in the barrel and used to operate the gun's action so that the spent cartridge is ejected, and a new cartridge is loaded.

In some applications such as training and movie making, it is desirable to use blank ammunition. Blank ammunition is a type of firearm cartridge that contains a propellant (e.g., gunpowder) but no projectile. It uses paper, wax, plastic, or other material as wadding to seal the propellant into the casing. When fired, the blank makes a flash and an explosive sound, but the wadding propelled from the barrel quickly loses kinetic energy and is incapable of inflicting any substantial damage beyond an immediate distance. Blanks are often used for shooting simulations that demand light and sound including historical reenactments, movie special effects, combat training, signaling, and other non-lethal uses.

One disadvantage that exists with blank ammunition is that there is less gas pressure built up in the barrel because there is no projectile being forced through the barrel. This lower gas pressure in the barrel results in the gas that is diverted to the action having too low a pressure to properly operate the gun's action (e.g., ejection and loading mechanism of cartridges). One solution that has been tried is to fit an adapter on the muzzle to restrict the flow of gas out the muzzle and increase the pressure in the barrel. This increased pressure can approximate the pressure created with live ammunition so that the adapter allows the firearm action to properly cycle when firing blank ammunition. Adapters are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,863; 6,026,728; 5,325,758; 3,744,370; 3,766,822; and 3,732,776.

However, these adapters are only designed to address the singular problem of a firearm failing to cycle when blank ammunition is used. These adapters are not designed to provide a realistic training platform when training with other attachments such as a suppressor. Further, these adapters can result in an overpressure in the bore and gas system putting unnecessary strain on the system and reducing the life of the firearm. Further, in the event of a catastrophic mistake, such as when a live round is placed in the firearm, these adapters cause the bullet to impact at the muzzle area which can cause bullet fragments to be expelled and even directed backwards to the shooter. Further, the muzzle area of the firearm can be damaged to the point of inoperability. It would be advantageous for a blank adapter to trap a mistakenly fired bullet in a safer manner than currently available.

A suppressor is a device attached to the muzzle of a firearm that reduces the acoustic intensity of the muzzle report and can reduce or eliminate muzzle flash when a firearm is discharged. The gas ejection from the muzzle has its speed and pressure modulated to suppressing the muzzle blast. Examples of a suppressor can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,018,440; 8,167,084; 4,576,083; 3,710,679; 3,478,841; 3,385,164; 2,872,848; and 1,107,003. Suppressors can be attached to a threaded barrel or quick attachment system such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,631,888; 8,997,621; 8,291,805 and 5,685,102.

When using a suppressor, there is a significant amount of weight added to the muzzle of the firearm so that the weight and location of the suppressor significantly changes the center of gravity from that of the original firearm. Further, a suppressor can result in reduced recoil by adding mass reducing muzzle flip due to the location of the mass at the muzzle. Some studies show that recoil can be reduced from the slowing of propellant gasses resulting in a 30% to 50% reduction of recoil velocity.

Further, there is a safety concern in the event that live ammunition is used, especially when live ammunition is inadvertently or mistakenly fired from a firearm with a blank adapted. This can cause the firearm energy of the ammunition to damage and escape from the blank ammunition attachment and cause injury to the operator and harm to the firearm. It would be advantageous for a blank ammunition adapter to be able to capture a live round within the adapter without allowing the energy or projective to escape the adapter and cause harm to the operator or firearm. Inadvertently using live ammunition can occur and can result in the unnecessary injury and deaths of operators, both civilian and especially military.

Therefore, it is an object of the present device to provide for a blank ammunition attachment to properly simulate the sound, look and feel of a suppressor to provide realistic training with blank ammunition without allowing a projectile to exit the blank ammunition attachment.

It is another object of the present device to provide for a blank ammunition attachment to properly simulate the sound, look and feel of a suppressor to provide realistic training while reducing or eliminating overpressures in the bore or firearm action.

It is another object of the present device to provide for a blank ammunition attachment to capture an inadvertent fired live round to prevent harm to the operator of the firearm, even if the attachment is damaged or destroyed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished by providing: a blank ammunition attachment comprising: a housing including an internal stop; an insert received in the housing and disposed adjacent to a muzzle area when attached to a firearm; an insert bore defined in the insert with a distal end of the insert bore disposed adjacent to the internal stop when the insert is received in the housing; a trap contained in the housing having a trap bore; and, a muzzle stop carried by the housing.

The insert can also be the existing flash suppressor of a firearm. The housing can include an insert cavity to receive the insert.

The blank ammunition attachment can include an angled wail defined in the trap and be adapted to modify the center of gravity of a firearm when attached from inside the frame to outside the frame. The blank ammunition attachment can be adapted to be removably attached to a firearm.

The blank ammunition attachment can include a housing configured to be attached to a firearm; a first trap contained in the housing having a closed proximal end and a first trap bore at a distal end; a series of traps adjacent to the first trap carried by the housing wherein each trap in the series of traps includes a trap bore; and, a muzzle stop enclosing the housing at a housing distal end wherein the housing is configured to prevent a projectile from exiting the housing is the projectile enters the housing at a proximal end.

The blank ammunition attachment can include an adapter configured to be attached to the firearm and to be received in the housing to secure the housing to the firearm. The housing can be configured to be removably attached to the firearm. The diameter of an adapter bore can be smaller than a firearm bore of the firearm attached to the adapter. An angled wall defined can be included in at least one trap in the series of traps. At least one trap in the series of traps can be conical where the cone can be facing toward the proximal end or the distal end of the housing. The orientation of the traps can be alternating in the series of traps so that a first trap can be facing a first direction and a second trap can be facing the second direction. The housing can be configured to modify a center of gravity from inside a frame to outside the frame of the firearm when attached to the firearm. The housing, internal stop and muzzle stop can be affixed to each other to form a single unit. The housing can include threads that can be operatively associated with threads on the adapter wherein the adapter is configured to attached to a barrel of the firearm. Therefore, the housing can be removed from the adapter. The housing can also be attached to the barrel of the firearm directly. A vent can be defined in the internal stop allowing gas to be directed to the series of traps in the housing to simulate the feel of an actual suppressor. The adapter can be a flash suppressor. The diameter of the first trap bore can be smaller than a firearm bore of the firearm attached to the attachment. The diameter of the traps in the series of traps can be the same or can be incrementally smaller or larger along a length from the proximal end to the proximal end. The first trap bore can be configured to remove a material from a projectile fired though the housing from the firearm. The diameter of a bore of a trap in the set of traps can be smaller than a firearm bore of the firearm attached to the attachment. A trap in the set of traps can include a horizontal wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side view of the attachment and a firearm;

FIG. 1B is a side view of a firearm;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the attachment and a firearm;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of aspects of the assembly including the insert, mount, and housing;

FIG. 3A is a cutaway view of aspects of the assembly;

FIG. 3B is a cutaway view of aspects of the assembly;

FIG. 3C is a cutaway view of aspects of the assembly;

FIG. 3D is a cutaway view of aspects of the assembly; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1C, a firearm 10 is shown with the blank attachment 14 affixed to the muzzle area 12. The blank attachment can be removably affixed to the muzzle. FIG. 1B shows a firearm without the blank attachment. The center of gravity of the firearm 16 is shown disposed within the frame 18. With blank attachment in place as shown in FIG. 1C, the center of gravity of gravity of the firearm and blank attachment combination can be disposed outside the frame as 20. With the center of gravity of the combined firearm and blank adapter, the blank attachment provides for a realistic representation of an actual suppressor allowing for more realistic use and training with blank ammunition.

Referring to FIG. 2, a tail end 22 can include threads to attach to a traditional suppressor mount eliminating the need for a specific blank attachment mount. The firearm can include threads at the muzzle end of the barrel to accept the tail end. The tail end can be attached directly to the threaded muzzle end, a locking quick attachment, or a non-locking quick attachment. Therefore, the blank attachment can be used with a variety of existing attachment systems without the need for specialized blank attachment connectors. The blank attachment can include an insert 24 that can be disposed adjacent to the muzzle of the firearm or suppressor mount. The adaptor can include an insert bore 26. In the event that a live round is mistakenly placed in the firearm and discharged, the insert bore allows the bullet to travel into the blank attachment housing 28 and impact an internal stop rather than impacting at or near the muzzle area. The internal bore can include a distal opening 33 that is adjacent to the internal stop when the insert is received into the housing.

In one embodiment, the adapted can be attached to a firearm using a special connector or a typical silencer connector. The special connector can include further safety mechanisms designed to strip the jacket off of a bullet by the use of a series of constricting holes. If used together, the special connector and adapter can provide for multiple points of contact to the projectile that can result in a slowing and stopping of an inadvertently fired projectile. The use of a typical silencer connector for mounting the adapter can provide a convenience for operators who are already using silencers and therefore do not require a special connector when firing blank ammunition.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the insert 24 is disposed in the housing 28 in an insert cavity 31 defined in the housing or connected to the housing. The insert includes insert bore 26 that can have a diameter less than the caliber of the firearm so that if a mistakenly discharged bullet enters the insert, the bore contacts the bullet and can remove (e.g., strip) jacketing from the bullet and cause the stripped jacket 30 to be collected in the insert. Further, contact with the edges of the insert bore reduce the energy of the bullet so that when the bullet exits the insert and impacts an internal stop 32 of the housing, the reduced energy allows the bullet to stop within the housing. In this circumstance, the insert can be replaced without having to replace the entire housing.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in the event that the bullet 34 penetrates the internal stop 32, additional traps 36 a and 36 b which can include a trap bore 38 can contact the bullet, continue to strip material from the bullet and trap the bullet in the housing. The bullet is prevented from exiting the housing with muzzle stop 40. Further, the housing and muzzle stop allow for the containment of gases, the bullet and bullet fragments within the housing. The traps can include angled walls to further deflect the bullet and bullet fragments so that they lose energy and are contained within the housing.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the attachment can include a proximal portion 46 defined by the internal stop 32 which can be a first obstruction. The first obstruction can include a portion that is in line with the bore of an attached firearm. The first obstruction can be located adjacent to the end of the barrel of the attached firearm and can create backpressure when firing blank ammunition. The first obstruction can raise the pressure in the chamber and the barrel and can cause the action of the firearm to cycle when the blank ammunition is fired. When used with blank ammunition, the attachment can cause the firearm to cycle while providing the operator with the same feel, balance, and function expected from a firearm discharging live ammunition. Due to the first obstructions, gases from the firearm do not extend past the first obstruction.

The muzzle stop can be a second obstruction 50 that can be disposed in a distal portion 48 of the attachment and can serve as a safety mechanism. The second obstruction can be disposed at a location furthest from the breach of the firearm when the adapted or attached to the firearm. The second obstruction can be designed to reduce or eliminate the risk that a projectile inadvertently fired from the firearm will exit the muzzle of the adapted and cause damage to a person or object in front of the muzzle of the firearm. If live ammunition is accidently fired in the firearm when the attachment is attached, the second obstruction can prevent the projectile from exiting the attachment. The second obstruction may be covered with a removable cap 52 that allows inspection of the second obstruction and can provide for a flush or aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Referring to FIG. 3D, in one embodiment, a trap can include a conical shape 52 with a bore 54. A series of conical traps can be disposed in the proximal portion 48. A first trap 56 can include a canonical position 58 at a distal end and a generally flat portion 60 at a proximal end. The traps can include a curved portion 62 or can extend directed from an interior wall 64 of the attachment.

Referring to FIG. 4. the internal stop 32 is shown and can include a vented opening 42 to allow gases to enter the trap area 44 contained in the housing. In one embodiment, a series of traps can be disposed between the first obstruction and the second obstruction. If a live round is accidently fired from the firearm with the adapted attached, the first obstruction can serve to deform the projectile and reduce the energy of the projectile. The series of traps can serve the purpose of catching and slowing the deformed projectile and absorbing the energy propelling and the gases trailing the projectile. The second obstruction can provide a stop designed to prevent the projective from exiting the attachment. The obstructions and series of traps can provide for a safer alternative than the traditional blank firing attachment in the event a live round is fired providing a significant improvement when compared to existing designs.

In one embodiment, the attachment is made from metal that is specifically selected and can be heat-treated to increase strength and resistance to penetration.

The attachment can be configured to have a physical appearance similar to a traditional suppressor or silencer. This physical similarity can be advantageous in training because the operator becomes accustomed to the weight, length, and center of gravity of the training firearm. When the operator then transitions to a service firearm equipped with a suppressor or silencer, the look, feel and balance remains nearly identical, and the operator is able to seamlessly transition between the training assembly and the service firearm. This allows training to more closely approximate live fire practice.

In one embodiment, the attachment cannot be disassembled beyond removing the attachment and the removable cap covering the second obstruction. The most notable difference in appearance and function between the attachment and a suppressor or silencer is the lack of a bore through the attachment. Each end of the attachment can include an obstruction that is readily apparent and specifically designed to prevent a projectile from exiting the attachment. In one embodiment, the attachment can be brightly colored to give a visual indicator that the firearm is fitted with a blank ammunition attachment rather than a suppressor or silencer.

In one embodiment, the attachment is a single item lacking the ability for disassembly. The main body of the attachment, a tube, can be fitted with one or more solid obstructions. Each obstruction can be permanently affixed to the attachment. The series of traps can be enclosed within the tube between the two obstructions. A removable cap can be placed over the second obstruction allowing the user to remove the cap and inspect the obstruction for any damage.

The Device and the attachment used to mount it on a firearm can be separated by merely unscrewing the Device from the attachment. The attachment is constructed like a muzzle brake or flash suppressor and is an item commonly available on the unregulated commercial market.

It is understood that the above descriptions and illustrations are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Other embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A blank ammunition attachment comprising: a housing configured to be attached to a firearm; a first trap contained in the housing having a closed proximal end and a first trap bore at a distal end; a series of traps adjacent to the first trap carried by the housing wherein each trap in the series of traps includes a trap bore; and, a muzzle stop enclosing the housing at a housing distal end wherein the housing is configured to prevent a projectile from exiting the housing is the projectile enters the housing at a proximal end.
 2. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 including an adapter configured to be attached to the firearm and to be received in the housing to secure the housing to the firearm.
 3. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 2 wherein the housing is configured to be removably attached to the firearm.
 4. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 2 wherein a diameter of an adapter bore is smaller than a firearm bore of the firearm attached to the adapter.
 5. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 2 wherein the adapter is a flash suppressor.
 6. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 including an angled wall defined at as one trap in the series of traps.
 7. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein at as one trap in the series of traps is conical.
 8. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to modify a center of gravity from inside a frame to outside the frame of the firearm when attached to the firearm.
 9. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein the housing, internal stop and muzzle stop are affixed.
 10. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 including housing threads defined in the housing operatively associated with adapter threads included in the adapter wherein the adapter is configured to attached to a barrel of a firearm.
 11. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 including a vent defined in the first stop allowing gas to be directed to the series of traps in the housing to simulate the feel of an actual suppressor.
 12. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein the first stop, muzzle stop, and housing are single unit.
 13. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein a diameter of the first trap bore is smaller than a firearm bore of the firearm attached to the attachment.
 14. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein the first trap bore is configured to remove a material from a projectile fired though the housing from the firearm.
 15. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein a diameter of a bore of a trap in the series of traps is smaller than a firearm bore of the firearm attached to the attachment.
 16. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 1 wherein a trap in the series of traps includes a horizontal wall.
 17. A blank ammunition attachment comprising: an adapter configured to be attached to a barrel of a firearm; a housing configured to receive the adapter and having an internal stop and a muzzle stop; a cavity defined by the housing, the internal stop and the muzzle stop; a series of traps disposed in the cavity wherein each trap in the series of traps includes a trap bore; and, wherein the housing is configured to prevent a projectile from exiting the housing if a projectile enters the housing at a proximal end.
 18. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 17 including a first trap contained in the housing having a closed proximal end and a first trap bore at a distal end.
 19. The blank ammunition attachment of claim 17 wherein the adapter is a flash suppressor.
 20. A blank ammunition attachment comprising: a housing configured to receive an adapter and having an internal stop and a muzzle stop; a cavity defined by the housing, the internal stop and the muzzle stop; a series of traps disposed in the cavity wherein each trap in the series of traps includes a trap bore; and, wherein the housing is configured to prevent a projectile from exiting the housing if a projectile enters the housing at a proximal end. 